The Trekking Pawns' Diary

After a week of tropical ports, unexpected downpours, and non-stop exploring, our final day on the cruise didn’t go quite as planned. One of us came down with a classic case of post-port blues—or more specifically, a stomach bug that hit hard after walking around the less-than-hygienic streets of Costa Maya . 🤒 Sick on a Ship… But Still Dancing? Let’s just say… it wasn’t pretty. The combo of diarrhea, shivers, and likely a fever made us super cautious. We’d heard that medical visits on cruise ships can be expensive —with some claiming motion sickness pills cost $20 a pop—so we decided to wait it out. As long as no food was involved, everything felt okay. But the moment even a little was eaten? Bathroom. Now. Despite feeling rough, we made the best of it: Stayed hydrated (thank you, water and ginger tea!). Skipped heavy meals and stuck to comforting foods—shout out to the congee/porridge station with ginger that absolutely saved the day. Still managed to enjoy the Bro...

Costa Maya was the final stop on our week-long Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Getaway , and while we had high hopes for relaxing on sun-drenched beaches and enjoying spontaneous exploration… reality had other plans. ⛅ “Let’s Decide When We Get There…” This was the only port where we didn’t pre-book an excursion. We figured we’d go with the flow—check out the scene, talk to some locals, maybe hit the beach or snorkel. But as soon as we docked, it became clear: Mother Nature wasn’t on our side . Rain came in waves (literally), and the skies looked moody all day. From the ship, we could see the promise of white sandy beaches , but something else caught our attention: a massive wall dividing the ship-docked tourist complex from the open beach beyond. That seemed… odd. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🧱 The Wall, the Gates, and ...

 One of the absolute highlights of cruising for us? The shows. Always the shows. And on our recent voyage aboard the Norwegian Getaway , the entertainment did not disappoint! 🎬 Broadway at Sea – Twice! We’ve cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) before—most memorably on the NCL Encore , where we were blown away by a single Broadway-style show about an Irish pub. It was so good, we went twice and loved every second of it. So when we boarded the Getaway , we wondered what their show selection would be like. To our surprise and delight: two Broadway-style shows — with the same talented cast performing both! Each performance was polished, energetic, and totally Broadway-worthy. We appreciated how the shows were different enough in style and story that it never felt repetitive. Hats off to the cast and crew for pulling double duty! Just a heads-up: 📸 No photos or video allowed during the performances. We saw a few guests try (tsk tsk), but staff were quick to step in. ...

Our last stop on the island of Roatán was one we’ll never forget: Manawakie Eco Park . Nestled inland, surrounded by tropical flora and rustic scenery, this hidden gem gave us an unforgettable, up-close-and-personal experience with some of Honduras’ most beloved animal residents. 🐾 Where else can you say you held a sloth, had a monkey crawl on your shoulder, and let a macaw perch on your head — all in one day? 🚗 The Journey to Manawakie As we made our way to the park, the skies began to clear—finally, some sunshine! The further inland we drove, the more of local Roatán life we got to witness. Fruit trees lined the roads, children played in front of homes, and we found ourselves bouncing along dirt roads that meandered through vibrant greenery. It was a peaceful contrast to the touristy cruise dock areas and gave us a real glimpse of how islanders live. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you...

  After our stops at the chocolate and rum factories, our Roatán tour continued with a visit to West End —a charming, vibrant part of the island that had us dreaming of better weather. Even in the midst of a tropical storm , we could see the potential of this gorgeous spot. Palm trees swayed dramatically in the wind, the boats bobbed in the rough Caribbean waters, and though the skies were gray, the energy of the area was unmistakable. We couldn’t help but imagine how incredible it would’ve been on a sunny day—especially if our much-anticipated  submarine tour  had gone as planned. We were so excited to explore under the sea, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Still, the West End gave us a taste of what this island is all about. 🌊 About Roatán Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras , located about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of the mainland. Roughly 59 kilometers long and less than 8 kilometers wide , Roatán is nestled between the islands of U...

Our stop in Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, was one we eagerly anticipated—especially with a submarine excursion booked through GetYourGuide .  (Booking on Getyourguide was cheaper than cruise excursion and we had plenty of hours on the Island so we were not worried about time.)  Known for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatán is a gem in the Caribbean. Despite the looming tropical storm, we remained hopeful for clear skies and packed our swim gear, ready for underwater exploration. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🚢 Arrival and Unexpected Changes Upon docking, gray skies greeted us, and the atmosphere was subdued. Navigating through the tourist dock, we noticed signs indicating cancellations of various activities due to the storm's aftermath. Following directions ...

Our visit to the Tulum Mayan Ruins was a sunny highlight of our NCL cruise stop in Cozumel, Mexico. After much debate about snorkeling, beach time, or diving into local culture, we chose a shore excursion to the historic ruins of Tulum , and we’re glad we did. While the snorkeling and beaches were tempting, the allure of ancient history won out this time! 🚌 Getting There: Cruise Convenience Meets Local Charm We boarded the early ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen , coordinated through our cruise line. From there, a smooth and comfortable bus ride whisked us to Tulum. Our local guide was full of fascinating insights about the Mayan people , their traditions, and how life might have been before Spanish colonization. We learned that Tulum was once a walled trading port city known as Zama (meaning “City of Dawn”), named for its beautiful sunrises. It was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Maya, and its cliffside location overlooking the Caribbean Sea made it both ...

We’re no strangers to kayaking — in fact, it’s one of our favorite weekend activities at the lake near our home. So when we travel, we usually ask ourselves: Is kayaking here really going to be different or special? It's the sort of question we asked when we were in San Diego. Instead of hopping into a kayak then, we went for a jet ski ride — a more fast-paced thrill. But on our Norwegian Cruise Line stop at Harvest Caye, Belize , we found ourselves reconsidering that question again. Surrounded by a peaceful lagoon and marshes with options like stand-up paddleboards, motorized sit-down boats, and kayaking, we ultimately chose what felt most familiar — the kayak. Why? Because it felt like the best way to get close to the water and observe what was beneath it. A Short Paddle, But Worth the Glide After a quick safety briefing and map overview, we set off with our paddles, expecting a longer route than we actually got. Harvest Caye is only about 1.5 miles long, so we figured we’d ge...

As part of our Caribbean adventure aboard the Norwegian Getaway, one of our much-anticipated stops was Harvest Caye , Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island paradise off the coast of southern Belize. While we were hoping for white sand and sun-soaked beach lounging, the weather had other plans — a tropical storm had just passed through, leaving behind chilly breezes and murky waters . Most guests opted to stay on the ship or venture only briefly into the island, especially since the ocean wasn’t ideal for swimming. A few brave souls still made it into the massive resort-style pool , which is impressively large and comes with a swim-up bar for those seeking a drink with their dip. While we skipped swimming, we decided to take a different approach to exploring… (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  Kayaking Through the Mangroves One of the h...